Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Job resignation - how much notice to give?

Hey All - I'm struggling with the above question. I have a new job offer and I've accepted it. But right now, I work in a small organization and I'm the only person that does what I do (I'm the IT guy) and I've been with the company for almost 20 years. That said, our employee handbook says hourly employees (which I am) need only provide 2 weeks.

I'm going to turn in my resignation Monday morning. Do I go with the handbook and provide 2 weeks or should I offer to stay on for a month?

What do you think?
Rob

Two weeks

Always best not to burn bridges, you never know. But I would give two weeks notice, then say that you might be able to arrange to stay another week if they think it necessary. Be willing to give a bit, but let them know it's putting you in a bind.

That's what I would do.

If you think that it would be more beneficial to your current company to give them more notice, then sit down with your superior, tell him what's up, and offer to stay and help....assuming that you can stay a month and not affect your standing with your new employers.

McInnis has it right IMO. Any chance they will make an offer you can't refuse to get you to stay?

What did the others do?

The place I worked at two jobs ago gave me 15 minutes notice before layoff and the last one even less. Places like that don't encourage one to give any notice.

If they haven't done what was necessary to retain a 20 year employee, they don't deserve more than 2 weeks. Good managers review an employees worth regularly and don't wait to get notice to take appropriate action.

2 weeks, respectfully.

If it says 2 weeks then 2 weeks. If they can't function without you they should have planned for that and/or not put you in a position to look for another job.

I'd give them two weeks, tops..

If they whine about you leaving, tell them very directly and specifically IN DOLLARS what in would cost to retain you.

Leaving a job is a lot like breaking up with a chick, the longer you drag it out the more chance for something to go wrong.

If you are going to leave, do it as quickly as possible and get on with your next gig.

If it goes like some of the jobs I have quit for a better one,when I gave them 2 weeks notice they said why wait just leave now.
Some employers in the oil field back in the day thought they could replace a hand with the next yo yo that came in the door.
If you give them 2 weeks and that happens to you at least you know you tried to treat them right.

I'd give them the two weeks.

But I've never understood why an employee needed to give two weeks notice, but when I've been let go, it was immediate.

If you give notice or impy that you are leaving and want to fish for more money I can tell you what likely will happen. They'll give you the money to stay and 5 seconds after you are out the office door they are looking for someone to take over your job long term.

At least that is what I would do. If you wanted more money or something else you should ask for that before you get another job and want to use it for a negotiating tactic.

That's just my opinion as a former business owner.

Like I said give them 2 weeks and be done with it. Depending on what you do don't be suprised if you give them 2 weeks notice and they let you go right away or quicker than 2 weeks. Not saying it will happen but it's always a possibility to get someone out of the office that's leaving.

I was talking to Milt when one of the guys in his Dep't walked up and said;" Milt, I ain't cut out for this inside work , I'm giving you my two weeks notice and goin' back to roughneckin'."

"Well,Knobby,I hate to see you go but I understand" was Milt's response.

That afternoon , Milt got to lookin' for Knobby and someone told him that Knobby left out with his lunchpail right after he'd talked to MIlt.A week or so later,Knobby showed up to get his drag up pay and Milt said;" Hell,Knobby, I thought you was givin' me two weeks notice".

Knobby replied;"I did , Milt. I figgered it would take you two weeks to notice I was gone!"

It's just business. Give your two weeks, and walk out with your head held high. If they get pissy with you, tell them you wouldn't mind leaving earlier.

NathanL - Trust me, there's no going back. I suppose I feel like I should stay on to help only out some sense of misplaced loyalty. I'm sure if they wanted to make a change, they'd usher me out the door while meeting the new guy on the way.

But I think of myself as a standup guy and I'd like to at least offer to help them out if they'd like it. So perhaps I should give 2 weeks with that offer to help them as needed for a specified time period (much could be done remotely and in the evenings as needed).

Just another twist...

Giving two weeks is always good form. That means something if the next company does not work out and you need a reference from the one you are at now. Plus it's taking the high road. A couple of things you might want to think about are accrued vacation and health insurance. If you have accrued vacation you may want to ask if it will be paid out to you and how: on your last regular check or separately. If it's on the last regular check you might want to adjust the with holdings on that one so they don't take more out than is needed. On the health insurance side, if you won't be eligible for it from your new employer in over 62 days you may want to pick up Cobra from your current employer so you don't subject yourself to a year of preexisting conditions on the new policy. Best wishes with the new job.

Two weeks is normal.

I gave 2 months when I moved back to MN from WI. I wanted them to be able to have a chance at a replacement for me, and two weeks wouldn't have done it. They were greatful for it, as was I, they didn't show me the door that day.

Very respectfully give your two weeks notice. Then say that you realize that there might be things that arise afterwards, and you'd be happy to work out an hourly arrangement to come back and help make sure they don't have problems while training a new guy.


Take the hourly pay and buy a few new rifles.